Within the architectonical area of Río Bec ( Bec River), the archaeological site of Chicanná distinguishes for its beautyful structure II wich is decorated with an enormous mask of Itzamná, the God of Creation, where remains of stucco in colors red and blue can still be seen, as well as Mayan mythological figures.

This city is called "serpent’s mouth" and it is considered an elitist city next to Becán.

The archaeological area of Chicanná is located on the Southeast of the State of Campeche. Departing from Campeche city, drive on the highway to Campotón, from there, drive on federal highway 186 Escárcega-Chetumal. The site is located in kilometer 141.

Departing from Hopelchen you can get to Chicanná by driving on the highway to Xpuhil and then on federal highway 186 Escárcega-Chetumal on the way to Escárcega, finding the site 8 kilometers ahead.

The name of Chicanná in Mayan language means "The house of the serpent’s mouth" (chi-mouth, can-serpent, ná-house), and the enormous mask on the central facade of structure II denotes it. The occupation of the site goes from the Late Pre-classic period (300 BC- 200 AD) getting to its most succesful years on the Late Classic period (550-700 AD) when the site depended on Becán, wich was the regional capital. Due to the elegant and rich decoration of its buildings, Chicanná has been considered by some investigators as an elitist center in the region of Río Bec. Chicanná as well as Becán, between the Late Classic and Terminal Classic period, must have participated on the commercial route which crossed from the Gulf of México to the South Coast of Qintana Roo State. Chicanná remained occupied through the Terminal Classic and Post- Classic Period (800-1100 AD).

Structure I, wich closes the East of the Main Plaza of the site, is an enlarged building with two rows of three rooms each. Two big towers with rounded corners, one on each side of the building, where decorated with frontal masks of Chaac, the Rain God, and has three simulated staircases wich lead to false temples. Its main facade has three passages and on their sides remains of profile masks can still be seen.

Structure II is located on the East side of the Plaza, it is a one level edifice built over a small platform. Its central facade is richly decorated with an enormous mask of Itzamná, the Mayan mythhological deity creator of all things. The access to the building simulates the mouth, the teeth are located on the top and above them the nose, the cross-eye and the forehead, as well as the earings; it seems to be an enormous face with the an open mouth. The access platform is slightly rised pretending to be the tongue and a tooth on one side gives the impresión to be the jawbone of the sacred monster. The sides of the building are ornamented with a cascade of Chaac masks made out with stone mosaic wich once where covered with stucco and painted in different colors, mainly color red. This structure has eight rooms and once had on its central top part a crest.

Structure III is located on the North side of the Main Plaza and it consists of a low base with stairways on the center of the southern section and a series of rooms on its sides. In this edifice has been found evidence of the latest occupation of the site.

Structure IV is located on the South side of the Plaza, and it also had a central staircase and several rooms where built above it.

On the Southeast of the nucleus of Chicanná, is located Structure VI. In the central part of the building is the main access stairway, and there are some other minor stairways on the East side which lead to a chamber. The central facade is decorated with profile mask cascades of the big nosed deity and the remains of an animal form mask on its top, as well as a part of the crest. Structure XI is a small palace of 12 rooms; it is one of the earliest constructions of the site and it was modified several times during its occupation.

Structure XX is located 300 meters to the Noetheast of the Main Plaza. It is a square shaped building in two levels. Level one has eleven rooms and the second level has only four. These last ones are provided with benches decorated with rose windows around human faces figures. The edifice has an inside stairway which spread to the sides and permitting the access to the rooms from the outside of the building. The main facade of this structure consists on a animal form face on each level, the higher lever has on its ends masks of Chaac in cascade and once had a crest. On the rear and side facades there are parcial animal form faces.

Schedule Monday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 17:00 pm

Visiting time required: 2 hours

Visiting time required departing from Campeche City: 8 hours

Transportation: Bus or car

Recomendation: When visiting Chicanná you might programme a visit to Becán and Xpuhil archaeological zones.

Services: Restrooms, parking lot, custodies, publication sells.

SOFT DRINKS: Becán community

RESTAURANTS: Becán Town, (cocina de la Mujer Campesina) and Xpuhil Town

HOTELS: Xpuhil Town/ Ecovillage Hotel, Chicanná

GAS STATION: Xpuhil Town

TELEPHONE: Becán Town and Xpuhil Town

MEDICAL SERVICES: Hospital de Xpuhil

In Spring and Summer time, weare light cloth because the temperature is very hot. During June, July and August, weare mosquito repellent.

Centro de Apoyo a la Investigación y Difusión Centro INAH Campeche.